Syukri, Muhammad
(2006)
The Influence Of River Discharges, Tides, And
Winds On Estuarine Plume In Northwest
Peninsular Malaysia.
PhD thesis, Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut.
Abstract
The aim of the thesis was to investigate the spatial and temporal structure of
estuarine plume and coastal waters in northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Measurements
of salinity, temperature, and TSS were carried out at the Muda plume, Prai plume and
the lower Merbok estuary. In addition, aerial images and current measurements were
also obtained through several selected field surveys. The discharge of the Muda
River was an order of magnitude more than Prai and Merbok Rivers. The results
suggest that the surface plume characteristics of the estuaries and coastal waters are
influenced by freshwater discharge. spring-neap tidal energy, and to some extent by
wind forcing. During high discharge, the offshore extent of the Muda and Prai estuary
plumes were approximately 4 km and 2 km respectively. The surface horizontal areas
covered by these plumes were 30.0 km2 and 13.5 km2, respectively. During low
discharge, the extent of plumes were closer to the coastline at about 1-2 km offshore.
Tides were responsible for the mixing and the stratification of the plumes. The Muda
plume and the lower Merbok Estuary. during the transition of spring-to-neap periods
that change the plume structure from partially-mixed or homogeneous (spring tide) to
highly stratified (neap tide). There were consistently higher TSS concentrations of
Muda and Prai plume waters and Merbok Estuary during spring tides than at neap
tides due to stronger spring tide energy. On the contrary, during neap tide a similar
behavior of TSS concentration was not found. No obvious correlation was found
between the plume characteristics and wind forcing, except during strong winds when
there were some evidence of plume movement according to wind direction. Remote
sensing provided information on the two-dimensional surface structures of the estuary
plumes. For example, the aerial images clearly showed snapshots of the Prai plume
being deflected to the south/north during low/high discharge. These behaviors were
influenced by tides.
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